No start/ticking sound from under dash

Hi all, I just bought my new to me 84 944. It had been sitting for 4 years since the owner died 3.5 years ago. He had it parked because of the no start issue but got sick before he got to it. When I turn the key to start, I get a clicking sound from directly under the dash (about 1 per second) and the gauges (gas gauge etc.) all move in sync with the click. Right now I’m thinking it’s probably a bad ground or relay problem, but wanted to get y’all’s opinions as well. Thanks in advance!